Agora Partners

Mergers and Acquisitions

We evaluate potential targets or merger partners as well as financial and strategic alternatives. We advise on strategy, timing, structure, financing, pricing, and we assist in negotiating and closing transactions.

Divestitures

We advise on sales and auctions in both strategic and distressed situations. We may also advise on financial and strategic alternatives to a sale, such as recapitalizations, spin-offs, carve-outs, split-offs or tracking stocks.

De-Mergers/Spinoffs

We help clients realize value from corporate assets, with innovative strategies for optimizing business portfolios. We advise on all aspects of execution, seeking success for the original company, for newly independent companies, and for shareholders.

We help our clients to identify the best possible opportunities for acquisitions, disposals or strategic partnerships. We tailor the best strategy and timing in order to achieve the best possible results.

Investing time in understanding our client’s needs is fundamental to the way we work, and we always take a long-term view. This is clearly demonstrated by our relationships that span decades, and our significant repeat business.

In advising companies on an acquisition, merger, or sale, we evaluate potential targets, provide valuation analyses, and evaluate and propose financial and strategic alternatives. We provide boards and management teams with independent judgment and deep expertise as they navigate their most important transactions and strategic decisions. We also advise as to the timing, structure, financing, and pricing of a proposed transaction as well as assist in negotiating and closing the deal.

Agora Partners bring seasoned experience to your team, enabling your firm to maximize your chances of a successful acquisition-led growth strategy through:

Detailed industry analysis and benchmarking to identify and rank the best opportunities and the best timing.
It begins with a deep understanding of the market, the strategy and the value proposition of our client. This creates the foundation for attractively positioning clients to potential strategic and financial partners.
Next, we develop a highly customized tactical plan for introducing clients to the market
Working with senior management to secure buy-ins to a realistic, fact-based integration plan
Work as a partner with client at every stage of transaction process
Leading negotiations with targets to ensure a smooth transition from term sheet to completed transaction

Buy-Side Advisory

We have an extensive track record advising clients on purchase transactions. Our experience enables us to help you identify appropriate targets, perform an effective valuation analysis, structure an offer, and conduct skilful negotiations leading to a successful close.

With deep experience in logistic services, warehousing, metals & mining, manufacturing, hospitals and healthcare systems, we focus on providing a wide range of tailored creative financial solutions.

Sell-Side Advisory

Agora Partners provides exceptional sell-side advice to both private and public firms seeking to sell their company or divest assets/business segments with senior level resources and personalized attention dedicated to each transaction.

Agora Partners advises clients on sell-side transactions and divestitures. Our professionals work together with the senior management team to execute the sale with minimum disruptions to the operations. In each sale process we:

Prepare a confidential offering memorandum
Develop detailed financial model covering key aspects of business
Develop a pipeline of potential strategic and financial buyers
Oversee data room preparation
Handholding in due diligence process
Develop a general strategy for accomplishing the transaction, including the structure, conditions, and financial terms
Lead the negotiations with each prospective buyer
Perform general due diligence on the prospective buyer
Execute the transaction, including coordinating outside legal, accounting, and tax advisers as necessary

Capital Raising

Capital fuels growth and provides flexibility. Agora Partner's relationships with private equity, venture capital, and lending organizations enable us to identify the right capital partner and carefully tailored offerings structures to support your company's growth objectives, acquisition-related financings, recapitalizations, and shareholder restructurings. We actively seek engagements to place senior debt (minimum $ 7 million), mezzanine finance (minimum $5 million), equity (minimum $5 million) and private equity partnership funds (no set minimum), as well as entire balance sheet restructuring assignments.

Equity placement
Preparation of pitch books, investor documents
Private placement
Debt syndication, Project finance & allied services
Work as a partner with client at every stage of transaction process

Private Equity

Agora Partners is a leader in structuring and executing private market transactions for our public and private corporate clients who require direct private equity, credit, or hybrid financing solutions.

Our dedicated Private Placements Advisory Team has extensive experience executing complex transactions to address the objectives of our clients, including:

Growth capital
Venture capital
Private “secondary” sales of equity stakes / shareholder replacements
Acquisition-related private equity or debt financing
Equity recapitalizations
Formation capital
Other situations requiring creative private capital financing solutions

Agora Partners differentiated relationships with a global network of investor decision makers enables us to connect our clients with “traditional” investors such as private equity funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, and alternative lenders as well as with an extensive network of “non-traditional” capital partners such as large family offices, global pension funds and endowments, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, and strategic investors.

Agora Partners comprehensive private placements product suite includes:

Traditional and pre-IPO equity private placements for private companies
Private convertible and hybrid securities
Private “secondary” sales of equity stakes / shareholder replacements
Private Investments in Public Entities (“PIPEs”) for public companies

Debt

We help our clients to raise capital, carry out refinancings, issue debentures, and access alternative and structured finance solutions that optimize terms and minimize risk.

Agora Partners provides debt solutions tailored to a client's specific capital needs. Our seasoned investment bankers provide tactical consultation, determining optimal debt capital structures and accessing the markets to meet client objectives. Through our extensive experience and relationships with investors, Agora Partners has developed a proven track record of helping financial companies raise debt capital.

Our team have detailed knowledge and insight across the debt markets including corporate debt, leveraged finance, structured finance, real estate finance and capital markets.

Debt capital include:

Corporate debt offerings
Bridge financing
Non-convertible debentures
Acquisition Financing & Staple Financing
Foreign currency loans
Senior and subordinated structured private debt
debt refinancings

Uniquely suited to raise capital for any situation

We have experience raising capital for clients across the entire capital spectrum
We have deep, long-standing relationships with potential lenders and investors, and we add value by providing access to a broad array of capital providers that are uniquely tailored to the situation
Terms and structure can be tailored to navigate market conditions and achieve client objectives

Valuations

Although Agora Partners performs a valuation as part of every one of its M&A and financing assignments; however also does valuation work on a stand-alone basis resulting in a more formal report. Most all of the business valuation assignments undertaken by Agora Partners are based upon a “going concern” assumption. Agora Partners does, however, value financial assets, including both marketable and illiquid investments.

Agora Partners provide valuation opinion based on a thorough, in-depth analysis using valuation methodologies appropriate for the sector, company and its market.

Valuing businesses require understanding and analysis of a variety of complex factors including detailed technical knowledge of value drivers and in-depth industry knowledge.

We offer complete and objective valuation services to meet client specific needs and specialize in the identification and valuation of intangible assets. Our team has wide experience with goodwill impairment and purchase price allocations across various industries, such as financial and professional services, technology, media and communications, manufacturing, logistics, natural resources, healthcare, hospitality, and E-commerce.

The firm does also provide formal “fairness letters”, statutory & regulatory compliance purpose and below is a list of some of the different purposes for a valuation assignment:

Business valuation
Intangible asset valuation
Tangible asset advisory services
Portfolio valuation for private equity funds
Valuations for dispute resolution/court/company law board matter/Income tax/RBI
Valuations relating to specific products (ESOPs) or industries
Fair Valuation for Financial Reporting: Given the difficulty of valuing illiquid assets and the potential for conflicts of interest, our clients rely on us for independent third-party valuation services. Our practice is deeply rooted in fair valuation of illiquid assets on behalf of hundreds of hedge funds, private equity firms, financial institutions, corporations, other investment managers and investors.
Allocation of purchase price and goodwill to reporting units (cash generating units).
Valuation of contingent assets and liabilities.
Derivative Valuation and Share-Based Compensation: Our quantitative finance professionals specialize in developing customized models and deriving supportable inputs for these valuations.
Our services include:
- Derivatives Valuation
- Valuations for Equity Awards and Share-Based Compensation
Experience with the full range of equity valuation techniques, including:
- Monte Carlo simulation analysis which captures path dependency and correlation
- Binomial lattice models, customized to capture key features such as early exercise behavior
- Closed form solutions such as the Black-Scholes formula
- Default and recovery rate modelling
Machinery & Equipment Valuation: We offers experience, reliability and transparency in the valuation of machinery and equipment for virtually every industry.
Land & Bulding Valuation

Restructuring

We provide comprehensive financial restructuring and capital structure advice in connection with stressed and distressed situations, including amendments, debt exchanges, financings, distressed M&A, and balance sheet recapitalizations.

Unlike most other firms, our professionals combine an extensive knowledge of restructuring strategies with M&A expertise, credit analysis skills, capital markets knowledge, industry expertise and negotiation experience in distressed situations.

Our expertise includes helping to negotiate with creditors or on behalf of creditor committees, restructuring existing debt and pursuing multi-track execution strategies which aggressively and decisively resolve financial challenges.

We help our clients to strategize and execute complex restructuring plans such as balance sheet recapitalizations and restructurings, to enable their businesses to reset their financial footing and to exploit future growth opportunities. We specialize in providing critical and unbiased advice to clients on complex balance sheet issues and transformational situations. Our team is uniquely positioned to ensure clients receive holistic advice across the full spectrum of potential alternatives. Our team is distinguished by its track record of developing and implementing innovative solutions that forge consensus among diverse stakeholders, maximize value and minimize execution risk.

We have advised on the largest and most complex restructuring situations with:

Challenging stakeholder negotiations
Obtaining covenant waivers and amendments
Developing, negotiating, and executing resolution plans during IBC restructurings
Raising new debt and equity capital for complex and/or highly leveraged situations
Designing and implementing financing-driven recapitalizations
Buying or selling non-core assets or entire companies in a distressed context

Strategic Advisory

Agora Partners Strategic Advisory business provides differentiated strategic and tactical advice as well as unparalleled execution to both public and private companies across a broad range of industry sectors and geographies.

We help our clients identify and pursue strategic priorities, devise strategies to enhance shareholder value, and develop new ideas and deeper perspective to achieve their goals.

We advise boards and management teams on how to successfully develop relationships with and communicate their strategies and M&A transactions to their shareholders.

Our success begins and ends with an unrelenting commitment to delivering world-class strategic and financial advice and client service.

Transaction Structuring

Agora Partners provides integrated advice in connection with the structuring of public and private transactions – including mergers, spin-offs, sales, joint ventures, and capital markets offerings – intended to optimize tax, accounting, and other objectives of the deal. Our team is led by the former head of the tax practice at a major law firm with over 35 years of experience in transactional work. We work closely with our clients and their legal and tax/accounting advisors to deliver the optimal structuring solutions.

Corporate Development Services

Similarly, most middle market companies do not have their own, full-time Corporate Development departments as in many larger corporations. Corporate Development is a critical function for companies seeking external growth through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Acquisitions often provide the fastest and most efficient means for companies to enter new products and markets, expand geographically (domestically and internationally), obtain new technologies, capture new customers, and achieve economies of scale.

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is a process to compare the financial and operating metrics of your company to the industry as a whole. For example, how does your company’s gross margin compare to the average gross margin of companies in your industry?

A better metric than that of the industry as a whole could indicate that your firm is worth more than the average firm in your industry. During the sales process you might want to call out:

Benchmarking can give you an idea of what the optimum inventory level is for your industry. It may be possible to reduce inventory and pocket some cash ahead of a sale. If you don’t, you can be sure the buyer will do it right after the sale closes.

If you have a company with over $10 million in revenue, and you’d like us to perform a custom benchmarking exercise for free, email us and a representative will be in contact with you.

Investment Management

It has been seen in many cases that private equity/Venture funds lost the value of their investments due to certain factors like adverse market conditions, management non-performance as per the business plan, mismanagement by various stake holders, inadequate system and process designs, controls/checks etc.

Agora Partners Investment Management businesses comprise a set of companies, each highly-focused and attuned to serve the specific needs of their respective clients with customized investment advice and management expertise. This ensures that private equity/venture funds maintain their entrepreneurial focus and that their business interests remain aligned with the short-term and long-term objectives.

Data Analytics

AGORA Partners provides advisory services to solve business challenges by Big Data Analytics, Marketing Analytics (Both Digital & Offline Marketing), Web Analytics, Fraud Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Customer Analytics and end-to-end process development for different analytical projects in E-commerce, Retail, FMCG & Pharma sectors. At Agora Partners we have experienced industry professionals and technology experts work in tandem to deliver unique insights and analytics that drive innovation. We help enterprises sharpen their business strategy by complimenting human intellect with innovative usage of big data, thus providing competitive agility and building a data analytics-driven organization.

Marketing Analytics - We help clients by performing following data driven analytics

Market Segmentation - Segmentation, Sizing, Etc.
Product / Customer Segmentation & Profiling
RFM Analysis
Purchase Likelihood Analysis
Cross-sell/Up-sell Analysis
Customer Lifetime Value (Loyalty) Analysis
Offer Optimization
Churn / Retention Analysis
Marketing Mix Modelling

Risk Analytics

Predictive Modelling of Claims Frequency and Severity
Credit Scoring Analysis
Fraud Detection and Prediction
Foreclosure Prediction
Rating Structures
Loss Ratio Analysis
Risk Based Pricing
Value at Risk Modelling
Collection and Recovery Modelling

Supply-Chain Analytics

Sector

We have facilitated successful capital raising, M&A transactions, valuation advisory and strategic advisory assignments at the intersection of proven companies.

Our dedicated, highly experienced professionals have completed transactions across a wide variety of sectors that make up the business and industrial services landscape.

Industrials

Our firsthand knowledge of local/global players and the industry gives us insight into a variety of corporate strategies, initiatives, and acquisition objectives as well as the most up-to-date local and international market intelligence.

Advanced Manufacturing and Engineered Products

Agriculture Equipment
Construction and Mining Equipment
Industrial/Infrastructure Maintenance Equipment
Air and Water Treatment
Electronics and Electrical Equipment
Power Equipment and Components
Material Handling and Lift Technologies

Automotive, Truck, and Automotive Technologies

Aftermarket and Accessories
Automotive Design and Manufacturing, EV, Hybrid, and ICE
EV Battery Manufacturing, Technology, and Components
EV Propulsion Components
EV Charging Station Technologies and Manufacturing
Chassis and Underbody Suppliers
Controls and Electronics
Engine and Driveline
Off-Road and Performance Components
Truck/Heavy-Duty Manufacturing and Suppliers
Autonomous Vehicle Technology, Software, and Data Connectivity

Chemicals

Adhesives and Sealants
Agrochemicals
Battery Chemistry and Materials
Catalysts and Adsorbents
Chemicals Distribution
Cleaning and Sanitation Chemicals
Construction Chemicals Paints and Coatings
Paper Chemicals
Personal Care Chemicals
Water Treatment Chemicals

Metals and Engineered Materials

Metal & mining
Aluminium Extrusion Products and Services
Bar and Wire Manufacturing and Products
Battery Metals
Engineered Material Production
Integrated and EAF Steel Production
Metal Castings, Forging and Stamped Production and Services
Non-Ferrous Metal Production
Outsourced Manufacturing and Fabrication
Pipe and Tube Production and Distribution
Precious Metal Refining
Recycling, Scrap, Secondary Metal Services and Production
Building products

Packaging, Plastics, and Paper

Consumer Products

Food and Beverage

Consumer Channels and Leisure

Energy

We provide comprehensive energy sector investment banking and advisory services in Power, Utilities & Renewables.

Independent Power Production
Renewable Generation
Utility-Scale Wind, Solar, and Geothermal
Distributed Generation
Battery and Other Energy Storage
Waste to Energy
Wholesale and Retail Power

Business Services

Engineering and Infrastructure

Equipment-as-a-Service

Training and Education

Assessments
Career-Elevating Skills (Technical Training)
Career-Elevating Skills (Soft Skills)
K–12
Learning Technology
Post-Secondary

Transportation and Logistics & Warehousing

Asset-Based Trucking
Asset-Light/Third-Party Logistics
Tech-Enabled Services
Transportation Equipment Leasing
Storage Services

Health Care

Pharma/Biotech
Life Science Tools and Diagnostics
Pharma Services
Healthcare Services
Dental Service Organizations, Dental Products, and Dental Labs
Healthcare Providers of All Types
Healthcare Technology and Technology-Enabled Services
Laboratories

Cybersecurity, Technology

The First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanize production. The Second used electric power to create mass production. The Third used electronics and information technology to automate production. Now a Fourth Industrial Revolution is building on the Third, characterized by a fusion of technologies that blur the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. AI, SaaS, cryptocurrency & distributed ledger technology, cybersecurity, and managed services are all part of this transformation. Agora Partners maintains longstanding relationships with the companies and funds that invest in this sector and is perfectly positioned to help clients achieve their goals.

Paper Board Manufacturing

Debt Raising

INR 540 Mn

Coking Coke Manufacturing

Debt Raising– Divestment

INR 120 Mn

Hospitality

Debt Raising for Hospitality Company

INR 300 Mn

Supply Chain

Debt Raising

INR 340 Mn

Warehousing

LRD

INR 700 Mn

Business & Financial Services

Financial Advisory

Un-disclosed

LOGISTIC COMPANY

Private Equity and NCDs placement

INR 600 Mn

WAREHOUSING COMPANY

M & A – Divestment of Stake

INR 200 Mn

INFRASTRUCTURE CO.

Debt Raising for Infra Company

INR 2800 Mn

INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY

Receivable Securitization

INR 1450 Mn

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Structured Finance

INR 250 Mn

ENGINEERING

M&A – Divestment of Coking Coal Business

INR 350 Mn

WAREHOUSING COMPANY

Exit given to PE Fund

INR 850 Mn

HEALTH CARE

Largest regional Hospital Chain Private Equity Placement

INR 700 Mn

HEALTH CARE

Debt Raising for Hospital Chain Corporate Loan

INR 200 Mn

AUTOMOTIVE

Working Capital Debt raising for Debt Raising for Automotive Company

INR 300 Mn

LOGISTIC

Helped to acquire 49% shareholding of a logistic subsidiary Company of one of the Steel Co

Un-disclosed

AUTOMOTIVE

M&A – Divestment of Cab, Fabrication & assembly Business

INR 250 Mn

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Acquisition Financing

INR 700 Mn

THERMAL POWER CO.

Private Equity Placement

INR 2500 Mn

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Lease Rental Discounting

INR 400 Mn

INFRASTRUCTURE CO.

Debt Fund Raising

INR 1200 Mn

WAREHOUSING COMPANY

Debt Raising

INR 430 Mn

ENERGY

Helped in acquisition of Mining for bituminous coal company

USD 100 mn

ENERGY

Acquisition

USD 300 Mn

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES

Premium Tax Credit

USD 30Mn

MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

M&A-Divestment of telescopic boom crawler cranes manufacturing business

USD 47 Mn

ENERGY

Preferred Stock

USD 650mn

MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

M&A-Divestment of aseptic packaging business

Un-disclosed

MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

M&A-Divestment of high wall mining equipment manufacturing business

USD 150 Mn

ENERGY

Financial Advisory

Un-disclosed

MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

Financial Advisory

Un-disclosed

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE

Financial Advisory

Un-disclosed

A lot goes into getting the best possible price for your business. We can give you the confidence to negotiate successfully in challenging circumstances. Check out a few of these examples:

A good deal gets even better with an experienced banker on your side

A good deal gets even better with an experienced banker on your side Steve Antoline, CEO of Superior Highwall Miners (SHM), received a bid of $120 million for his mining equipment company located in Beckley, WV. He retained us to advise him on the sale. Over six months, we ran a structured auction process, and SHM closed the sale to Tennessee Valley Ventures for $150 million. That’s more than 20% higher than the initial offer. A good investment banker can add value, even if you already have a deal on the table.

An auction process can increase your price even when there’s only one bidder

An auction process can increase your price even when there’s only one bidder In some industries, there is a limited number of buyers. Bill Mitchell of Mantis Cranes experienced this when he decided to retire and sell his crane business. We ran an auction process and negotiated with the buyer to the very end of the process, even though we were dealing with only one bidder at the end. The seller was delighted with the final sales price of $37.5 million. Experience in business sales process is as valuable as negotiation experience.

Real-world valuations are critical for good negotiations

Real-world valuations are critical for good negotiations We’ve performed hundreds of valuations for companies to let them know their real-world value. That is the amount an institutional investor will pay for your company this year, as opposed to IRS Fair Market Value guidelines used for tax purposes. In 2020 we were engaged by a cybersecurity firm which we estimated was worth $25-30 million. They received three bids for their firm: two at $27.5 million and one at $30 million. Those are typical results for our real-world valuation. In 15 years, we’ve never been off by more than 10%.

It is important to know when to say no

It is important to know when to say no Trivector services, an aerospace & defense engineering firm, retained us to advise them on the acquisition of an Israeli UAV manufacturer. After reviewing information, traveling to Israel to meet with the firm, and conducting due diligence, we unearthed concerns that would have been easy to overlook. We recommended that Trivector not pursue the acquisition. Trivector was glad to have an advisor that was willing to be honest even if it meant delivering bad news. Since then, they’ve grown into a great company with a strong future. They have also retained us on five additional occasions for advisory work.

What We Do

Mergers and Acquisitions

Divestitures

De-Mergers/Spinoffs

Investing time in understanding our client’s needs is fundamental to the way we work, and we always take a long-term view. This is clearly demonstrated by our relationships that span decades, and our significant repeat business.

Agora Partners bring seasoned experience to your team, enabling your firm to maximize your chances of a successful acquisition-led growth strategy through:

Buy-Side Advisory

Sell-Side Advisory

Agora Partners advises clients on sell-side transactions and divestitures. Our professionals work together with the senior management team to execute the sale with minimum disruptions to the operations. In each sale process we:

Capital Raising

Private Equity

Our dedicated Private Placements Advisory Team has extensive experience executing complex transactions to address the objectives of our clients, including:

Agora Partners comprehensive private placements product suite includes:

Debt

Debt capital include:

Uniquely suited to raise capital for any situation

Valuations

The firm does also provide formal “fairness letters”, statutory & regulatory compliance purpose and below is a list of some of the different purposes for a valuation assignment:

Restructuring

We have advised on the largest and most complex restructuring situations with:

Strategic Advisory

Transaction Structuring

Corporate Development Services

Benchmarking

Investment Management

Data Analytics

Marketing Analytics - We help clients by performing following data driven analytics

Risk Analytics

Supply-Chain Analytics

Sector

Industrials

Advanced Manufacturing and Engineered Products

Automotive, Truck, and Automotive Technologies

Chemicals

Metals and Engineered Materials

Packaging, Plastics, and Paper

Consumer Products

Food and Beverage

Consumer Channels and Leisure

Energy

Business Services

Engineering and Infrastructure

Equipment-as-a-Service

Training and Education

Transportation and Logistics & Warehousing

Health Care

Cybersecurity, Technology

Paper Board Manufacturing

Debt Raising

INR 540 Mn

Coking Coke Manufacturing

Debt Raising– Divestment

INR 120 Mn

Hospitality

Debt Raising for Hospitality Company

INR 300 Mn

Supply Chain

Debt Raising

INR 340 Mn

Warehousing

LRD

INR 700 Mn

Business & Financial Services

Financial Advisory

Un-disclosed

LOGISTIC COMPANY

Private Equity and NCDs placement

INR 600 Mn

WAREHOUSING COMPANY

M & A – Divestment of Stake

INR 200 Mn

INFRASTRUCTURE CO.

Debt Raising for Infra Company

INR 2800 Mn

INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY

Receivable Securitization

INR 1450 Mn

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

Structured Finance

INR 250 Mn